Brandon Avenue repairs set to begin

CELINA - Shinn Brothers of Celina is expected to begin reconstructing Brandon Avenue sometime next week, mayor Jeff Hazel said.

"We're at the contractor's mercy when they are finishing projects and jobs, but we're excited about them coming in to do that," Hazel told city council members this week. "So that is a full reconstruction between Logan and Livingston (streets)."

Councilors this summer authorized city safety service director Tom Hitchcock to award a $588,000 contract to Shinn Brothers, which submitted the lowest of three bids.

According to Hitchcock, Shinn Brothers must substantially complete the project by Nov. 15. The date for final completion, which includes grass seeding, is June 1.

The project involves the complete reconstruction and paving of four blocks as well as new curbs and sidewalks, Hazel said. The underlying water line was replaced a few years ago, he noted.

Late last year Brandon Avenue was assigned top priority among street projects because of heavy deterioration, mainly occurring two winters ago, that had made the street unsafe for travel.

Earlier this year, council members approved transferring $600,000 from the general fund to the street improvement fund. At the time Hazel had said the $600,000 came from an insurance premium savings in 2015.

The city has an aggregate income tax rate of 1.5 percent. City voters on Nov. 3 approved a ballot measure allowing money from the 0.5 percent income tax levy for police and fire services to also fund much-needed street repairs.

Hazel has stressed that only the revenue collected from the 0.5 percent tax starting in January may be used for street repairs.